The Hon Tony Abbott MP

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02 August 2015

The rules governing the parliamentary entitlements system need reform.
Soon after taking office, this Government restricted access to family travel, stopped Members and Senators employing immediate family members and ended first class overseas travel. We also supported restoring the power of the Remuneration Tribunal to determine base salary.
Despite this, some parliamentary travel has been inside entitlement but outside community expectations.
The rules lack clarity and lack transparency.
We need a system that is simple, effective and clear.

30 July 2015

Russia's veto of the United Nations Security Council resolution to establish a tribunal to prosecute those responsible for the MH17 atrocity is outrageous. Two hundred and ninety eight innocent people, including 38 Australians, were murdered when the aircraft was shot down above Ukraine just over a year ago. By its actions today, Russia has shown complete disregard for the families' right to know who was responsible and to see these criminals face justice.

23 July 2015

Today COAG held its first special meeting on counter-terrorism in a decade.
Prime Minister John Howard hosted the last counter-terrorism COAG in 2005.
Today we agreed to – and released – Australia’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy. This is a comprehensive long-term national counter-terrorism blueprint.
The strategy sets out the counter-terrorism arrangements in place across Australia. It provides information to the community on the terrorist threat and what our governments are doing to counter it.

The nation’s leaders have taken the first steps towards major reform of Australia’s Federation.
The Prime Minister, First Ministers from each State and Territory, and the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) gathered at Victoria Barracks in Sydney yesterday for an historic first Leaders’ Retreat.
Following presentations from the Expert Panel, the Leaders discussed the challenges facing Australia as we strive to deliver improved health services, new infrastructure, fair and affordable access to housing, training designed for real jobs and a school education system that helps Australian children stay ahead in a globally competitive world.

21 July 2015

It was with shock and sadness that I learnt of the sudden passing of Don Randall, the Federal Member for Canning. On behalf of the Government and the Liberal Party, I convey my condolences and deepest sympathies to Don’s wife Julie and their two children. Don was an outstanding local member. He was a passionate and persuasive advocate in Canberra and a hardworking community leader in Western Australia.

Australians will benefit from clearer, simpler information about where products come from. New country of origin food labels will begin to appear on supermarket shelves later this year. It is important to ensure consumers have the information they need to make informed choices about the products they buy. Australians have made it clear they want better country of origin labelling and the Government is determined to deliver it.

20 July 2015

Construction has begun on the King Georges Road Interchange Upgrade, 18 months ahead of schedule. The $130 million project will fix one of the city’s worst bottlenecks. More than 40,000 Sydney motorists will have their travel times slashed. This vital project is the first section of WestConnex Stage Two, which involves widening and extending the M5 motorway. Of the 100,000 motorists who use the M5 every day, nearly half get stuck at the King Georges Road interchange. The upgrade will cut travel times at the interchange by up to half, as well as alleviating delays along the M5 East and King Georges Road.

17 July 2015

Today, Australia remembers all those who lost their lives on Flight MH17. There were 298 innocent people on this aircraft and their deaths offend our sense of justice. We grieve for all, but particularly for the 40 victims who called Australia home, including 38 Australian citizens and residents. A National Memorial Service was held in the Great Hall at Parliament House to honour those who lost their lives and support those who have been bereaved.

16 July 2015

I intend to recommend to the Governor‑General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC, that he appoint the Hon Margaret Stone as Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security for a period of five years from 24 August 2015. Ms Stone has had a distinguished legal career and was a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 2000 to 2012. She has been the Independent Reviewer of Adverse Security Assessments since December 2012. She brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position. Australia’s intelligence agencies make a vital contribution to our national security, particularly at a time when we face a serious threat from terrorism.

14 July 2015

Albert ‘Alby’ Schultz was a very highly regarded and well respected Member of the House of Representatives. He will be sorely missed. Alby began his political career as a Councillor for Cootamundra Shire Council in 1983 before serving as the member for Burrinjuck in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for over a decade. He entered federal politics in 1998 and represented the constituents of Hume for the next fifteen years. He was the longest-serving member of Hume since Federation.